The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department raided a cockfight in Dowelltown Saturday night and arrested ten people.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says deputies received a call at 7:50 p.m. Saturday to go to 224 E.H. Haas Road where a chicken fight was taking place. Upon arrival, the officers found ten men either participating in or observing the cockfight. Two of the men also had two children there. The kids are ages 12 and 13.
Officers observed two injured chickens and one chicken that was almost dead. They also found needle spurs, razor spurs, bottles of vitamin B complex, and cages used to transport the chickens. Officers also seized $5,341 from the defendants.
Sheriff Ray says during the interviews of the defendants, officers learned that they were placing $100 bets per round during the fights.
It is against the law ( a class A misdemeanor) for anyone to be involved in a cockfight. It is also unlawful (class C misdemeanor) for anyone to be a spectator at a cockfight.
The following persons were charged with cockfighting:
38 year old Artemio Alfaro of Board Valley Road, Sparta; 27 year old Joel Mendez of Fred Hill Road, Sparta;32 year old Juan Orozco of Cascade Avenue, McMinnville; 20 year old Juan Avalos of Short Mountain Road, Smithville; 31 year old Leonardo Guadarrana of Fred Hill Road, Sparta; 23 year old Nicolas Reyes of Carter Street, Smithville; 33 year old Mariano Reyes of Carter Street, Smithville; 35 year old Hugo Reyes of West Greenhill Road, McMinnville; 33 year old Rodolfo Reyes of E.H. Haas Road, Dowelltown; and 49 year old Antonio Ornelas of Disneyland Road, Sparta.
Rodolfo Reyes and Antonio Ornelas were also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor for having their children present at the cockfight.
Sheriff Ray says he also intends to make the DeKalb County Humane Society aware of this case.
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